KOZHIKODE: A student was found dead in Palakkottuvayal. The dead has been identified as Sooraj (20) of Ambalakandi and a student of Sree Narayana College. It is alleged that Sooraj was beaten to death by a gang. The police have taken three into custody in connection with the incident. The police have also registered a case against 15 known people.

Police said the murder was committed following a dispute in the college. There was an issue between Sooraj's friend and two arrested. It is reported that Sooraj's intervention in this led to the murder. A festival was held at a temple in Palakkottuvayal yesterday. A group who came there took Sooraj and thrashed him severely. The locals who intervened in the issue dispersed the youths. A verbal dispute broke out and, in the melee, Sooraj was killed.

Students of Sree Narayana College Ajay (20) and Vijay (19) and their father Manoj are in the custody of the police. Following Sooraj's death, a group of people vandalized their house and vehicle. Locals blocked the road. Police have been deployed in the area. The body of Sooraj is kept in Kozhikode Medical College.